The long-running border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has intensified, forcing the Thai government to declare an emergency curfew in its southeastern Trat province on Sunday. The measure, implemented under the Martial Law Act, covers five districts—Khlong Yai, Bo Rai, Laem Ngop, Khao Saming, and Mueang Trat—prohibiting residents from leaving their homes between 7 PM and 5 AM. The popular tourist islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood are excluded from the curfew.
The clashes, which have been ongoing since Monday, have spread to coastal areas bordering Cambodia’s Koh Kong province. Thai Defence Ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri confirmed that “overall, there have been clashes continuously,” even after Cambodia reiterated an openness to a ceasefire on Saturday.
Kongsiri stated that Thailand remains open to a diplomatic solution but stressed the prerequisite: “Cambodia has to cease hostility first before we can negotiate.”
Ceasefire Claim Sparks Diplomatic Confusion
The curfew announcement comes just two days after US President Donald Trump unilaterally announced that both Thai and Cambodian leaders had agreed to “cease all shooting” following their separate phone calls on Friday.
However, Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul immediately contradicted the US President’s claim, vowing on Saturday to keep fighting “until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people.” Thailand’s defense officials confirmed that no ceasefire order had been issued to the armed forces.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement. Reports indicate at least 25 people have been killed—including 14 Thai soldiers and 11 Cambodian civilians—and over half a million people have been displaced on both sides of the 800-kilometer border.
Escalation Timeline and Military Action
This latest outbreak of violence marks a major failure of previous international mediation efforts, including a US-brokered agreement that ended intense fighting in July 2025.
The current round of heavy clashes began in early December, following a skirmish that wounded two Thai soldiers, derailing the earlier truce. Recent military action includes:
- Thai Offensive: Thai forces announced they destroyed a bridge used by Cambodia to transport heavy weapons and launched an operation to target pre-positioned artillery in Cambodia’s coastal regions. The Royal Thai Navy also confirmed launching an operation to reclaim “Thai sovereign territory” in Trat province.
- Cambodian Response: Cambodia has accused Thailand of striking civilian infrastructure and, late on Saturday, announced that it was shutting all border crossings with Thailand until further notice.